Explosive-engine.



No. 745,055. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

R. HARRIS.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1902.

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No. 745,055. Y PATENTE'D NOV. 24, 1903.

- R. HARRIS.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION TILED JULY 28, 1902.

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R. HARRIS.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. v

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UNITED STATES Patented November 24, 1 903.

RALPH HARRIS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

EXPLOSIVE=ENGINE.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 745,055, dated November 24, 1903.

Application filed July 28, 1902. Serial No. 117,242. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RALPH HARRIS,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a newand Improved EXplosive-Engine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to multiple-cylinder engines; and its object is to provide a new and improved explosive-engine which is simple and durable in construction, very effective in operation, avoiding sudden shocks and jars, arranged to utilize the motive agent, such as gasolene and air, to the fullest advantage, and to allow of varying the ignition period and varying the length of the stroke of the piston to obtain a variable compression and explosion period.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improvement arranged for using gasolene. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan View of the duplex cylinders and adjacent parts. Fig. 4c'is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the gasolene-pump, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the ignition-plugs.

The improved eXplosive-engineis mounted on a suitablyconstructed frame A, supporting working cylinders B and B, arranged one alongside the other and containing pistons G and 0, having their piston-rods D and D connected with each other at their outer ends by a chain, cable, or like flexible connection E, passing over a wheel E, disposed horizontally and journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame A. Now when the engine is in operation the pistons G and 0 move in unison, but in opposite directions, owing to the connection between the piston-rods, as above explained. The piston-rods D and D are connected at their outer ends with chains F and F, passing over clutch-wheels G and G for rotating a main drivingshaft H in the direction of the arrow a when the engine is in operation, as hereinafter more fully described, the outer ends of the chains F and F being connected with springs I, attached to the main frame A, to return the chains F and F when the pistons G and O are on the return or non-working strokes.

The clutch-wheels G and G are alike in construction, and each is provided at the inside with cam-surfaces G engaged by rollers G rolling on a disk G keyed or otherwise secured to the main shaft H. Now when the clutch-wheel G or G is turned in the direction of the arrow at then the rollers G travel on the cam-faces G to clamp the latter on the peripheral face of the disk G to rotate the latter and the main shaft H in the direction of the arrow athat is, in unison with the corresponding clutch-wheel. When the piston is on the return stroke, then the corresponding spring pulls on the chain F or F to rotate the clutch-wheel G or G in the inverse direction to the arrow at, and as the rollers G now move to the reduced end of the frictionfaces G it is evident that the rollers do not impinge on the peripheral face of the disk G and consequently the friction-wheel G or G rotates loosely in the inverse direction of the arrow 0, relative to the shaft H, it being understood that the latter is during this return movement of one friction-wheel turned in the direction of the arrow at by the other frictionwheel, so that a continuous rotary motion is given to the shaft H.

The outer ends of the cylinders Band B carry air-compressor cylinders J and .J, in which are mounted to slide pistons K and K, pressed by springs K K toward the working cylinders B and B. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the air-compressor cylinders J and J are somewhat larger than the working cylinders B and B for the latter to form shoulders for the pistons K and K to rest against when the pistons G and 0 move solely in the working cylinders B and B. When the pistonC or O is on the working strokethat is, moves outward in its cylinder B or B.then it finally passes into the corresponding air-compressor cylinder J or J to engage the corresponding piston K or K and move the same bodily in an outward direction against the tension of its spring K or K When the piston O or 0 moves inward on its return stroke, the corresponding piston K or K is returned to its former position by the corresponding spring K or K During this return stroke of the piston K or K air passes into the corresponding cylinder J or J by suitable air-valves J J respectively, as plainly indicated in the draw- 1ngs.

The outer ends of the cylinders J and J are connected by branch pipes L and L with a supply-pipe N, extending between the cylinders and connected with the inner ends of the working cylindersB and B by branch pipes O and 0, containing valves 0 0 connected with each other by a spring 0 to hold the valves normally to their seats, but to allow the valves to open inwardly to admit the motive agent to the inner ends of the cylinders B and B, as hereinafter more fully described. Admission-valves L L are arranged in the branch pipes Land L and are held normally to their seats by a spring L The supply-pipeNis connected with a gasolene-pump P, (shown in detail in Fig. 4,) and consisting, essentially, of a cylinder P, opening at one end into the supply-pipe N and containing a piston P normally held in an uppermost position at the said opening by a spring P The lower end of the cylinder P is connected with a pipe P having connection at its bottom with a suction-pipe P containing a suction-valve P while the upper end of the said pipe P 'is connected withthe supply-pipe N and contains a valve P Now when the engine is in operation compressed air passing from the air-compressors into the supply-pipe N acts on the piston P P to its former position (shown in Fig. 4) to cause a suction action in the cylinder P and pipe P to draw gasolene through the pipe P into the pipe P to refill the same. The suction-pipe P is provided with a valve P carrying on its stem an arm P connected by a link P with a governor P driven from the main shaft H to control the amount of gasolene passing through the pipe P into the pipe P The construction of this governor forms the subject-matter of a separate application filed under evendate herewith, and hence detailed description of the same is not deemed necessary.

It is understood that the gasolene-pumpP is preferably connected with the supply-pipe N between the sets of branch pipes L L and O O. For starting the engine it is necessary to connect the outer end of the supply-pipe N by a flexible pipe Q with an air-pump of and B are provided with sparking-plugs R and R, contained in an electric circuit containing a battery S and an induction-coil S, the wires of the circuit being connected with sets of contact-plates T T and T T held in a block T ,made of an insulating material and mounted to slide longitudinally in suitable bearings T carried by the main frame A. The sets of contact-plates T T and T T are adapted to be engaged by the outer ends of contact-rods U U, mounted to slide in the outer ends of the air-coin pressor cylinders J and J. (See Fig. 3.) The inner ends of the said rods U U are pressed on by springs U U and the said rods are adapted to be pushed outward by the pistons K and K when the latter are moved outward by the pistons C C. Now the wiring is so arranged between the contact-plates T T and T T and the circuit or ignition plugs R R that when the rod U makes contact with the contact-plates T T then electricity is supplied to the sparkingplugs R to cause ignition of the charge in the working cylinder. B, and when the contact-rod U moves in contact with the set of contact-plates T T then the circuit is closed for the sparking-plugs R to cause ignition of the charge in the working cylinder B. A switch V is connected with the electric circuit to allow the operator to cause sparking or ignition to take place in either of the cylinders B or B at any time.

The insulator-blockT is pulled on by a spring W, which has a tendency to move the block and its contact-plates toward the cylinders K and K, and the said block T is also engaged by one end of a chain W, connected with one end of a lever W ,fulcrumed at WV on the main frame and provided with a locking-pawl W adapted to lock the lever on a fixed ratchet-wheel W as plainly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. By theoperator imparting a swinging motion to the lever W the block T may be moved outward against the tension of its spring W to cause a contact of the rods U U with the sets of contact-plates T T or T T to take place at a later period to produce a variable compression and explosion period and a longer stroke of the pistons O C and K K in their cylinders B B and J J.

The cylinders B and B are provided a distance from the cylinders J J with outlet or discharge openings B and B for the escape of the products of combustion after the inner ends ofthe pistons O C have passed the said openings and moved into the air-compressor cylinders Jand J.

The operation is as follows: In starting the enginethe switch'Vis open,and air under pressure is forced by'a suitable pu mp or other compressed-air supply through the tube Q into the pipe N to work the pump P and fill both work- IIC ing cylinders B and B with an explosive mixture until a sufticient pressure is obtained in the said cylinders, and then the switch V is closed to cause ignition of the explosive mixture in one of the cylinders B or B to start the engine. When the engine is running and the several parts are in the position shown in the drawings, then the piston C is at the end of its outward stroke, while the piston C is at the end of its inward stroke, compressing the charge previously drawn into the inner end of the cylinder B, and as the rod U at this time makes connection with the contactplates T T (see Fig. 1) an ignition of this charge in the cylinder B takes place by the set of sparking-plugs R. The piston O is now forced outward and in doing so draws the piston C inward by the connection of the chain E with the piston-rods D and D. When the piston 0 reaches the outer end of the working cylinder B, it moves into contact with the piston K, and thus forces the same outward against the tension of the spring K thereby compressing the air in the cylinder J previously drawn in through the valve J The compressed air passes into the branch pipe L and opens the valve L which by the spring L closes the valve L and the com pressed air passing into supply-pipe N actuates the gasolene-pu mp P to force the gasolene into the supply-pipe N. This gasolene mixes with the compressed air and passes through the pipe N and branch pipe 0 into the cylinder B at the time the inner end of the piston O has passed the openings B so that the products of combustion pass out through the said openings B and the cylinder is again filled with a new charge. During the time this takes place the piston C is at the inward stroke and after passing and closing the openings B compresses the charge previously passed into the cylinder 13, at the same time allowing the piston K to move into its innermost position by the action of the spring K lVhen the piston K is moved outward by the piston 0 against the tension of the spring K then the rod U is finally moved in engagement with the contact-plates T T, so as to close the electric circuit for the sparking-plugs R, and conse' quently the charge in the cylinder 13 is now ignited and the piston C is forced on its out ward stroke, thus moving the piston 0 back on its inward stroke, owing to the connection between the pistons by way of the piston-rods D and D and the chain E, as previously explained. Then the piston O finally uncovers the openings B then the products of combustion in the cylinder B pass to the outer air and at the same time a new charge passes into the cylinder B by the action ofthe compressed air produced by the outward move ment of the piston K in the cylinder J, the said compressed air passing through the branch pipe L by way of the valve L into the supply-pipe N, and from thelatter through the branch pipe 0 and valve 0 into the innor end of the cylinder 13'. By the time the new charge in the cylinder B or B has driven out the products of combustion of the previous explosion by way of the openings B1 or B the corresponding piston O or O is returned to close the said openings and to compress the corresponding charge, as previously explained. It is further understood that d uring the outward movement of the piston O or (J a rotary motion is given by the corresponding clutch-wheel G or G to the shaft H, so that the shaft is driven by continuous impulses.

By having the pistons K and K directly actuated from the pistons O and 0 it is evident that the pistons are cushioned, and consequently undue shock and jar is completely prevented.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. An explosion-engine comprising Working cylinders, pistons therein, a flexibleconnection between the piston-rods of the said pistons, a main shaft, clutch-wheels on the said shaft, and flexible connections between the clutch-wheels and the said piston-rods, as set forth.

2. An explosion-engine comprising tandem working cylinders, pistons therein, a flexible connection between the piston-rods of the said pistons, a main shaft, clutch'wheels on the said shaft, operating devices between the clutch-wheels and the said piston-rods, and springs for returning the operating devices on the return strokes of the pistons, as set forth.

3. Au explosiveengine, comprising working cylinders, pistons therein and connected with each other to move in unison but in opposite directions, an air-compressor cylinder at the outer end of each of the working cylinders, spring-pressed pistons in the compressor-cylinders and actuated directly by the pistons of the working cylinders, and a valved gas and air supply pipe for the working cylinders, said supply-pipe being connected with the motive-agent supply and the aircompressor cylinders, as set forth.

4. An explosive-engine having a working cylinder, a piston therein, an air-compressor cylinder at the outer end of the Working cylinder, a spring-pressed piston in the air-compressor cylinder and actuated directly by the piston of the working cylinder, a supply-pipe connected at one end with the working cylinder and at its other end with the air-compressor cylinder, and a gasolene-pump connected with a source of supply and with. the said supply-pipe, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. An explosiveengine having a motiveagent-supply pipe connected with a working cylinder and with a compressed-air supply, and a gasolene-pump connected with a supply, and with the said supply-pipe to actuate the pump by compressed air from the said pipe and to eject the gasolene into the supply-pipe, the said gasolene-pump comprising a cylinder having its upper end connected with the supply-pipe, a spring-pressed piston in the cylinder and normally held by its spring in an uppermost position, a pipe leading from the lower end of the cylinder, and then extending upwardly and having its end connected with the supply-pipe, a dischargevalve at the upper end of said pipe,a suctionpipe connected with the bottom of the first pipe, and a suction-valve at the upper end of the suction-pipe, as set forth.

6. An explosive-engine comprising working cylinders, pistons in the said cylinders, arranged to move in unison but in opposite directions, compressed-air cylinders on the said working cylinders, having air inlet valves, spring-pressed pistons therein, adapted to be moved in one direction against the tension of their springs by direct contact of the said working-cylinder pistons, a supplypipe having valved branch pipes leading to the said working cylinders, to supply the same alternately with an explosive charge, the said supply pipe having valved air branch pipes leading to the said compressedair cylinders, and agasolene-pumpdischarging into the said supply-pipe, at set forth.

7. An explosive-engine comprising working cylinders, pistons in the said cylinders, arranged to move in unison but in opposite directions, compressed-air cylinders on the said Working cylinders, having air inlet valves, spring-pressed pistons therein,adapted to be moved in one direction against the tension of their springs by direct contact of the said working-cylinder pistons, a supplypipe having valved branch pipes leading to the said working cylinders, to supply the same alternately with an explosive charge, the said supply pipe having valved air branch pipes leading to the said compressedair cylinders, and a gasolene-pump discharging into the said supply-pipe, and actuated by compressed air from the supply-pipe, as set forth.

8. In an explosive-engine, the combination with two working cylinders, each having an air-compressor cylinder at one end, and pistons in the working cylinders and movingin opposite directions, of a supply-pipe having a. valve connectionwith each working cylinder and each air-compressor cylinder, and a gasolene-pump connected with the supplypipe between the connectionsof said pipe with the admissionrcylinders and the aircompressor cylinders, as set forth.

9. In an explosive-engine, the combination with two working cylinders, each provided with an air-compressor cylinder at one end, and pistons in the working cylinders and moving in unison but in opposite directions,

of a supply-pipe having a valve connection with each working and air-compressor cylinder, and a gasolene-pump comprising a cylinder opening at one end into the supplyvpipe, a spring-pressed piston in the cylinder,

and a pipe connected with the lower end of the cylinder and having a valve connection with the supply-pipe, as set forth.

10. In an explosive-engine,the combination with two working cylinders, each having an air-compressor cylinder at one end, and pistons in the working cylinders and moving in unison but in opposite directions, of a supply-pipe arranged between the cylinders and having a valve connection with each working and air-compressor cylinder, and a gaso; lone-pump, consisting of a cylinder opening into the supply-pipe, a spring-pressed piston in the cylinder, a pipe connected with the lower end of the cylinder and having a valve connection with the supply-pipe,and avalved suction-pipe with which the first-named pipe has connection, as set forth.

11. In an eXplosive-engine,the combination of two working cylinders, each having an aircompressor cylinder at one end, pistons in the working cylinders and moving in unison but in opposite directions, spring pressed pistons in the air-compressor cylinders and with which the pistons of the working cylinders engage, and a hydrocarbon-supply pipe having a valved connection with each of the said cylinders, and means for supplying hydrocarbon to said pipe, as set forth.

12. Inanexplosive engine,thecombination of working cylinders having openings therein, and each provided at one end with air compressor cylinders of larger diameter than the working cylinders, pistons in the working cylinders and moving in unison but in oppo site directions, spring-pressed pistons in the air-compressor cylinders, a supply-pipe between the cylinders and havinga valved connection with each of said cylinders, and a pump connected with the supply-pipe for supplying gasolene thereto, as set forth.

13. In an explosive-engine,the combination of two cylinders, pistons therein, a wheel, a chain or cable having its ends secured to the rods of said pistons and passing around the Wheel, a driving-shaft, clutch-wheels secured on the driving-shaft, chains or cables secured to the piston rods and passing over the clutch-wheels, and springs having one end secured to the ends of the chains and their other ends to a fixed support, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RALPH HARRIS. Witnesses:

W. S. ARNETT, ANNA HARRIS ARNETT. 

